Lee Shappa, Jr.

Lee Shappa Jr, age 66, of Aurora, Illinois passed away Monday, June 30, 2025, at AccentCare Hospice in Naperville with his wife and loving family by his side.

He was born June 7, 1959, in Elmhurst, the son of Lee and Rebeca (Garcia) Shappa, and grew up in Villa Park.

Lee had a zest for life and a passion for helping others. As the sixth of nine children, and the oldest son, he cared deeply for his siblings and parents – a love he extended to his wife Mary (Koenig) Shappa.

His compassion for others was evident in everything he did. He would thank each Veteran he encountered and honor every police officer. If Lee was in a restaurant where police officers were buying coffee or a meal, he would offer to pick up their tabs. He provided blankets to the homeless and volunteered to sit with hospice patients.

Lee was a man of many passions. He loved spending time with his wife, including traveling, dining, and maintaining their home. He loved airplanes and flying and was taking lessons toward attaining his pilot’s license. He owned his own plane with a partner. He experienced the thrill of sky diving. Like his father and father-in-law, Lee loved John Wayne. When he was younger, he combined his love of music and physical strength to work security as a bouncer at concerts. He loved to kayak and canoe. He was a Karate Master and dedicated lineman.

As a young boy, Lee fanatically watched Bruce Lee movies with his family, which inspired him to pursue martial arts and achieve the rank of fifth degree black belt. In his teens, Lee founded “Lee’s Martial Arts,” where for more than 20 years, he taught various styles of martial arts to youth and adults, including family and friends. Working with youth, Sensei Lee’s classes focused on discipline, determination, mental focus, leadership, compassion, kindness, listening to parents, and taking care of siblings – values and skills that he practiced in his own life. He organized overnight youth camps and created purpose-filled games that reinforced martial art skills and character development. As a Karate Master, Lee believed that martial arts helped people succeed in all areas of their lives by inspiring self-esteem, personal growth, and achievement of potential.

Lee’s career in electrical work started with cable television wire installations and progressed to entering the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers apprenticeship program. He became a journeyman lineman and served as a union member for 36 years. As a lineman, mostly through ComEd subcontractors, he installed, maintained and repaired electrical service lines, transmission lines, substations, and equipment in Illinois and Indiana. When natural disasters hit throughout the country, Lee traveled to work on crews to restore power and repair damages from hurricanes, snow and ice storms, and tornadoes. Ever the leader, Lee mentored young apprentices, offering advice, encouragement, and inspiration to succeed.

He is survived by his loving wife of nine years Mary (Koenig); siblings Gloria (Lee) Synder, Amy (Emilio) Nino, Fran (Alex) Scepanovich, Gina Bobek, Mary Shappa, and Randy Shappa; as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Rebeca and siblings Sandra and Raymond Shappa.  

A visitation for Lee will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 2:00 pm until the time of his memorial service at 5:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street (Route 38), Geneva.

Burial will be held privately.

Memorials to Lazarus House, 214 Walnut Street, St. Charles, Illinois 60174, would be appreciated.

For more information, please call 630-232-8233 or visit malonefh.com.

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